Enumclaw High School’s Greg Rufener, Naomi Eide and David Schiff, White River High School’s Matt Reed and Bonney Lake High School’s percussion ensemble all received superior or higher ratings at the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) and Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) 2009 State Solo and Ensemble Contests April 24 and 25 at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash.
Rufener, a senior who has played clarinet since fifth grade, received the highest ranking of the local competitors. Judges recognize the top three student musicians or vocalists in each category. Rufener finished second in the solo woodwinds competition and called the accomplishment “incredible” and one of the highlights in his years at Enumclaw High. Michelle Kim, of Bellevue Christian High School, a second-place finisher in 2008 came in first for solo clarinet this year.
On the first day of competition, Rufener and Eide performed a clarinet and bassoon duet along with 21 other ensembles from the state. It was the third straight year the pair have performed together at the state contest.
Rufener will be attending Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., and plans to major in biology or chemistry with a minor in music. Eide, also a senior, will be attending Providence College in Providence, R.I., and plans to major in art history and minor in music.
Both dedicated their performance to their first music teacher and Eide’s father, the late Darrell Eide, who predicted when they were in the seventh-grade that if they worked hard they would go to state as soloists and as a duet, three years in a row.
Judges also recognized all musicians or vocalists who receive a Superior composite rating. Enumclaw had two students – Eide on bassoon in the solo woodwinds division and Schiff, a senior on trumpet/cornet, in the brass portion of the competition – to earn that honor.
White River’s Reed, alto-bass clarinet, also earned that distinction in the solo woodwinds competition.
The Bonney Lake High percussion ensemble was honored in the percussion-large category.
Enumclaw’s Sam Horn, a sophomore, also made the trip, competing on tuba.
The ensemble contest includes small and large ensembles in seven categories: woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings, women’s vocal, men’s vocal and mixed vocal.
There are 29 solo categories, including seven woodwind, five brass, four percussion, four strings, and six vocal categories, as well as piano, guitar and harp.
This event provides the opportunity for the finest of Washington’s high school music students to hear one another in a competitive situation. From our 22 regional contests, the winners in each category advance to the state competition where first, second and third places are selected.
Reach Brenda Sexton at bsexton@courierherald.com or 360-802-8206.
